Illuminating fluorescent house number fixture



July 7, 1959 M. FIGMAN 2,893,148

' ILLUMINATING FLUORESCENT HOUSE NUMBER FIXTURE I Filed May 7. 1957 i 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I/IIIIIIIIII II IIflI/I III 1/ III 7 I N V EN TOR.

#V/P/PIV F/ll y 7. 1959 M. FIGMAN 2,893,148

ILLUMINATING FLUORESCENT HOUSE NUMBER FIXTURE Filed May 7. 1957 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 2 I I i I I I I I I i I IN VEN TOR. Mali/Pm r/a u/v Unite ILLIMINATING' FLUORESCENT HOUSE NUMBER FIXTURE The present invention relates to an illuminating fluorescent house-number fixture. Although the present invention has a broad application to the mounting of signs, numbers andother indicia, it has a particular application to outdoor illuminating devices which may be utilized either for indicating. house numbers or street intersections.

It=is amongthe objects ofthe present invention to provide, a simple, inexpensive, readily adjusted fluorescent house number or porch number fixture which may employ standard fluorescent electric bulbs of the hot or cold cathode type, and it will readily enable the illuminated display of the numbers or locations of a house or building without undue glare and with sufiicient visibility to be observable froma house substantially set back from the road or street.

Another object is to provide a simple, durable, protected fluorescent house number or street number fixture for outdoor or porch use which may be readily adjusted or mounted by ahouse owner and which will be resistant to weathering, cold and heat, and give a reliable visual indication of the number of the house or street by night or day;

A further object of the present; invention is to provide a readily dismountableknock-down house number fixture whi h may be r adi y ounte po a h s n the numberslenses other indiciaof which may be readily changed inaccordance; with the requirements of the particular location in. whichthe fixture is employed.

Still further objects and; advantages will appear in the more detailed. description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and. not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found most satisfactory, according to one embodiment of the present invention, toprovide a metallic enclosure of sheet metal which will carry the necessary transformer, starter and other equipment necessary to mount elongated fluorescent tubes.

In the preferred structure. there is an elongated casing having a top and bottom wall and a rear wall of U crosssection in which is positioned a rear chamber for the fluorescent appurtenances and a front chamber for receiving the bulb indicia, Whether it bev numeric or letters, and also suitable glass protectors.

The rear chamber carrying the transformer and starter and wiring arrangements may bev enclosed at the factory against intrusion, while the front compartment may have removable corner pieces, a removable glass protector and removable indicia.

The indicia are preferably of relatively rigid, yet resilient plastic structure, which will snap .on to, and, due to their resiliency, retain themselves upon, the tubular fluorescent bulb.

Desirably, the face or window through which the indicia is exposed inclines downwardly and inwardly so as i iatented July 7, 1959 to protect the indicia the weather. Where a twofaced or double sided illuminating sign. is employed, the chamber for the electric equipment and wiring arrangements may be positioned above the sign or indicia in-. stead of to the rear of the sign as in the single view fixture.

In this case the holder is desirably of double-sided construction and may be slid upon the tube from the end thereof, and will be retained in position by the resiliency of the plastic material.

In this case, the double-view fixture will have a top U-shaped structural member carrying the transformer and starter as well as the electrical connections, and it may. have a bottom plate which will serve to support the side windows in conjunction with the top main structure.

The front profile of the device is preferably converged in a declined angle so as to protect the front illuminated chamber from all outside weather conditions and enhance the visibility, since the indicia being illuminated from above will slant downwardly toward the observer.

A further important feature resides in the fact that the snap-on holders, the numeric lenses or letter lenses, and the color screens, may be individually adjusted in position directly on to the fluorescentbulb.

A still further feature resides in the fact that by removing the slide glass window protectors the numeric and letter lenses may be replaced and removable color screens may be employed to give a desired color to the illumination.

A further feature is the existence of easily removable corner brackets fastened onto each end of the fixture, which when removed, allows the front glass protector. pane to be likewise readily removed, thus giving access to the elements (bulb and indicia) of the front compartment.

Another important feature is a calculated rectangular opening on the base of the illuminated front chamber which is intended to throw light downwardly for safe step walking. This rectangular opening requires a glass piece for protection against outside weather conditions.

With the foregoing and otherobjects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted towhich fall within the scope of the. claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred device, according to the present invention, partly separated toshow the interior construction.

Pig. 2 is a transverse horizontal sectional view upon. the line 2--2 of Fig. l and upon an enlarged scale, as compared to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of one of the numeric or letter lenses which may be snapped on to the tubular bulb and positioned in alignment thereon.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary'diagrammatic view illustrating the engagement of the snap-on numeric or letter lenses upon the bulb.

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view from above of an alternative embodiment where the fixture is illuminated on both sides and gives two-sided view.

Fig. 7 is a transverse horizontal sectional view upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 6 upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view upon the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 6. i

Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a double clip device which may be utilized on the two-sided view arrangement of Fig. 6. V

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the alignment in which the clip-on devices are assembled.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, there is shown a U-shaped housing A having the wall or mounting connection B, the rear chamber C for carrying the electrical connections D, the transformer E and the starter F.

The device has an intermediate separating wall G which separates the rear chamber C from the front chamber H. The front chamber H receives the sockets J for the bulb K.

The bulb K in turn serves to receive the snap-on holder and plastic numeric or letter lens devices L.

The front glass piece member M which protects the interior elements in front chamber H is held in position by the end brackets N which, upon removal, will enable removal of the glass M and access to the snap-on members L and the bulb K.

Referring particularly to the snap-on holder of Fig. 4, this device may be made of a one piece molded plastic interchangeable element, having the rearwardly extending locks or clip members 10 which have the rear lips 11 to clip on to the tube and the side cars 12 which fit on to the walls at the top and bottom of the tube K.

' The flanges 14 which project inwardly from the side frame members 15 will contact the tube at 16, correctly placing the clips in respect to the bulb to achieve the desired illumination.

The ridges 13 on the sides of the top locks 10 and the ridges 17 on the sides of the frame member 15 will interlock with one another, as indicated at 18 in Fig. 2, to align the clip-on devices with one another along the length of the bulb K.

The front lens portions 19 are transparent, and they may receive the numeric screen and color slide which will be illuminated from the bulb K. There is a recess formed by the side walls 20 and by the top and bottom walls 21 in which letters or numbers having transparent and opaque portions may be inserted for illumination purposes.

The snap-on holder L of Fig. 4 may be clipped on to the bulb K readily, or removed in the direction indicated in Fig. 5, and the various elements may be positioned in side by side relationship, with the alignment being assured by the interlocking grooves and tongues 13 and 17. The resin has suflicient resiliency to enable it to cling to the bulb and to retain its position, as is shown in side elevational view in Fig. 3.

The bulb, as indicated in Fig. 5, has the end caps and the prongs 31 which fit into the sockets I, which are mounted upon the intermediate separating wall G. On the back of the wall G are mounted the transformer E and the starter F.

The wiring D will extend through the rear chamber C between the sockets J, as shown in Fig. 2, and be connected to the transformer at 30, the sockets at 31 and the starter at 32 and 33, with the leads 34 passing outwardly through the mounting means B.

The mounting means B has a reduced diameter portion 35 and a wide diameter portion 36 with the screw openings 37 for mounting upon a wall.

The casing has the upper wall 45 with an in-turned forward edge 46 and with a rear angular member 47, which forms a track or channel 48 in which the upper edge of the glass M may slide.

The ends of the glass M, as shown in Fig. 1, are held in position by the corner brackets N. The corner brackets N consist of a main flange portion 53 which covers the side of the device, as shown in Fig. 1, and is held in position by the screws 54.

The side walls 55 will cover the ends of the chamber C. The rear extremities of the side members N and the rear 4 edges of the side plates 53 and the front edges of the side plates 55 will contact or abut at 56.

The inturned flanges 57, the front members of the corner brackets N, will fit between the inturned portions 46 and 50 of the top and bottom walls 45 and 49, respectively.

The corner brackets N, when attached, will hold the glass M in position and when removed at one or both sides will enable removal of the glass M and access to the snap-on devices L and the bulb K. J The bottom wall 49 is provided with a window opening 65 which will be covered by the window pane or glass pane 66 held in position by the edge angle 67. This will permit illumination to be projected downwardly under the sign and will permit illumination of a step or bannister as the case may be. The wall G is held in position by the angle brackets 68 (see Fig. 2).

It is thus apparent that the applicant has provided a simple outdoor fixture which may be utilized for mounting of street number or house number signs or designations, and which is simple to install and in which the numbers or indicia may be readily removed or replaced, and with ready access to the fluorescent bulb K.

In the alternative form, as shown in Figs. 6 to 10, a double view sign is provided. In this device there is a top structural member P which may be suspended from the right angular hanger member Q mounted on the wall R.

The structure P has the lower support member S, the window T and the corner members U. The upper structural member P will receive the transformer V and the electrical connections.

The central bulb or tubular fluorescent light W receives the double-view holders X which carry the letters or numbers and color screens as the case may be. The bottom window glass Y permits illumination downwardly. The bulb W may be readily detached from or mounted in the side sockets Z.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, the hanger member Q has a base flange or strip 75 which is mounted on the wall R by the bolts or other fasteners 76. The bar is then turned at 77 and reduced in diameter to the rod 78 which receives the eyelets 79 projecting upward from the top wall 80 of the main structure P. The top wall 80 has the side downwardly converging walls 81 which terminate in the inturned portions 82.

The separating wall 83 is held in position by the angle brackets 84 and it carries the transformer B by the bolts 85.

The interior angle members 86 form channels for the upper edges of the sliding glass panes T. The end wall members 87 will carry the bottom wall structure S having the opening 88 which is covered by the lower window pane 89.

The window pane 89 is held in position by the side angle members 90. The sides of the bottom structure S are beaded upwardly and inwardly, as indicated at 91 adjacent the angle members to form channels for the lower edge of the glass panes T.

The ends of the glass pane are held in position by the corner members U, which have the main side flanges 92 and the short flanges 93.

The flanges 93 project between the beads 82 and 91 to overlap and enclose the ends of the window panes T. The main flanges 92 are held on the ends of the fixture by means of the screws 94.

The double-view holder has the inturned curved flanges 112 which contact the tube as well as the upper ears 113 and the lower ears 114 which also engage the top and lower faces of the tube.

The ridges or grooves 115 and 116 will interfit with adjacent elements X and correctly align themselves along the length of the fluorescent tube or bulb W.

As indicated in Fig. 10, these double-view holders will be slid on as indicated by the arrow 117 to the ends of the tubes W; The device of'Figsr 6 to lfl' will thus g'ive a double view illumination" inboth* directions; with -light also being directed downwardly.

The window portions 118 may havelettersornumerals applied thereto which are opaque in part'and transparent in part to give full illumination in both diretions when the sign is positioned in the manner'indicated iii-Fig. 6'.

The lower window paning 88 will-also p'ermit illu'inination downwardly.

The fixture may be given ditferen't colored illuminations' by insertion of transparent colored materials .at the windows 19 and 118 of the devices-L and Xo'f Figs; 4 and 9, or by applying colored material-to the glass panes N and T, or by inserting transparentglass therein;

Referring particularly to the indicia carrying. devices shown in Figs. 4 and 9, these devices maybe provided with cup-like inserts 125' which fit into 'a -reees's formed by the side Walls 20 and the top. and bottomwalls'- 21in Fig. 4 or the side walls 20a and the top. and bottom walls 21a in Fig. 9.

As shown in the sections in 'Figs; 2-' and 7,.tlies'e cu like members 125 will frictionallyengag -the-walls 20 and 21 of the recess of Fig. 4 or 20a and 21a of-the recess of Fig. 9.

In these cups will be'received' the fiat plates or-let-ter or number carrying members 126 as well as the fiat colored members 127. p

The members 125, 12 6'a'i1'd'127' may berfiolded of a plastic material, such as" styrene, rigidp olyethylene or methyl methacrylate resins afld'dsirably'tliey are made of such thickness and flexibility that they-can be wedged into the recesses ofthe structures of Figs", 4' and 9.

The indicia carrying member? 126? as wen as the colored plates 127 may also beprovidd-With side flanges to enable them to be frictionally engaged inside of the plastic cup-like members 125.

As many changes could be made'in'tlie above illuminating fluorescent house number fixture;and many widely different embodiments of this invention" could be-m'ade without departure from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

1. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, box-like enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

2. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said plastic indicia consisting of molded U shaped elements, the legs of which will clip on to and retain themselves by friction on the fluorescent tube, and the sides of which have ridges and grooves to correctly align themselves, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, box-like enclosures having open ends 6 Withtransverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

3. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said illumination compartment having edged channels and a slideable window glass received in said edged channels to protect the sign from the weather, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, box-like enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

4. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said plastic indicia members being formed into boxlike structures which will he slid on to the tube which will grasp the top, bottom and sides of the tube, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, box-like enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

5. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said plastic indicia may consist of snap-on or slide-on holders each of which houses a numeric lens and color screen and which are positioned in side by side relationship and are correctly aligned along the length of the tube by interlocking side ridges and grooves, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, boxlike enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

6. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said illumination compartment having a track or channel means which permits a front glass window piece to slide into and along said channel, and a removable corner bracket means which holds said glass piece in position, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, box-like enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

7. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and and elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said illumination compartment having a rectangular opening cut out from the lower base plate of said compartment for the purpose of projecting a calculated degree of light downwardly for safe step walking, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, boxlike enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

8. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said illumination compartment having its front face or side profile, converging downwardly in a declining angle, so as to protect the elements contained in said compartment against all weather conditions, and to enhance the visibility of the indicia to the viewer, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, boxlike enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly anddownwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

9. An illuminating fluorescent house number fixture for outdoor use, with replaceable and selectable plastic indicia members to be mounted along the length of a fluorescent tube having an elongated enclosure with an elongated electrical component compartment receiving wiring, a transformer and a starter and an elongated illumination compartment having end sockets, a fluorescent tube, and plastic indicia mounted on the tube, said illumination compartment having two tracl: or channel means positioned on opposite sides of said compartment which permits two glass window pieces to slide into and along their respective channels and two removable corner bracket means, one on each end of the fixture, to hold the two glass pieces in their respective positions, said plastic indicia consisting of two oppositely facing, integrally joined, box-like enclosures having open ends with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending fins having concave upper and lower contact edges closely to conform to the top and bottom curvature of the tube and inwardly oppositely extending curved side fins tangentially to contact the side faces of the tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,245,885 Webster June 17, 1941 2,620,580 Dwinell Dec. 9, 1952 2,796,688 Van Praag..- June 25, 1957 2,798,323 Witz July 9, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 152,455 Sweden Nov. 22, 1955 160,491 Australia Jan. 10, 1955 1,039,099 France May 13, 1953 

